Polyolefin nanocomposites with functional ionic liquids and carbon nanofillers

Abstract

The present disclosure provides polyolefin blends and nanocomposites and methods for their production. In embodiments, a blend or nanocomposite of the present disclosure may include at least one polyolefin and at least one ionic liquid and/or one modified carbon nanofiller. In embodiments, the at least one modified carbon nanotube may be treated with at least one ionic compound.

1. A polymer blend comprising:
 at least one polyolefin; 
 at least one ionic liquid, and 
 at least one carbon nanofiller that has been contacted with at least one ionic compound to form a modified carbon nanofiller, wherein the at least one ionic compound is selected from the group consisting of 1-docosanyl-3-methylimidazolium and 1-docosanyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 
 wherein the modified carbon nanofiller is present in an amount from about 0.01 weight percent to about 30 weight percent. 
 
     
     
       2. The polymer blend as in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ionic compound includes a cation selected from the group consisting of imidazolium, pyridinium and isoquinolinium, and an anion selected from the group consisting of bromide, tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate, and bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide. 
     
     
       3. The polymer blend as in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanofiller comprises a single-wall nanotube. 
     
     
       4. The polymer blend as in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanofiller comprises a multi-wall nanotube. 
     
     
       5. The polymer blend as in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanofiller comprises a carbon nanofiber. 
     
     
       6. A polymer blend as in  claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin is selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, polypropylenes, ethylene-propylene copolymers, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes, high pressure low density polyethylenes, linear low density polyethylenes, linear medium density polyethylenes, high density polyethylenes, and modified polyethylenes. 
     
     
       7. A polymer blend as in  claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin comprises an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. 
     
     
       8. A fiber comprising the polymer blend of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       9. A film comprising the polymer blend of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       10. A method of producing a polymer blend comprising:
 obtaining at least one carbon nanofiller; 
 treating the at least one carbon nanofiller with at least one ionic compound to produce a modified carbon nanofiller, wherein the at least one ionic compound is selected from the group consisting of 1-docosanyl-3-methylimidazolium and 1-docosanyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, and 
 blending the modified carbon nanofiller with a polyolefin to produce the polymer blend, 
 wherein the modified carbon nanofiller is present in an amount from about 0.01 weight percent to about 30 weight percent. 
 
     
     
       11. A method as in  claim 10 , wherein obtaining at least one carbon nanofiller comprises obtaining a single-wall carbon nanotube. 
     
     
       12. A method as in  claim 10 , wherein obtaining at least one carbon nanofiller comprises obtaining a multi-wall carbon nanotube. 
     
     
       13. A method as in  claim 10 , wherein obtaining at least one carbon nanofiller comprises obtaining a carbon nanofiber. 
     
     
       14. A method as in  claim 10 , wherein treating the at least one carbon nanofiller further comprises selecting as the at least one ionic compound a cation selected from the group consisting of imidazolium, pyridinium and isoquinolinium, and an anion selected from the group consisting of bromide, tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate and bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide. 
     
     
       15. A method as in  claim 10 , wherein treating the at least one carbon nanofiller further comprises mixing the at least one carbon nanofiller with the ionic compound in decalin at a temperature of about 70° C. for a period of time of about 1 hour. 
     
     
       16. A method as in  claim 10 , wherein blending the modified carbon nanofiller with a polyolefin utilizes an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene as the polyolefin. 
     
     
       17. A method as in  claim 16 , wherein blending the modified carbon nanofiller with a polyolefin further comprises mixing the polyolefin with decalin to form a polyolefin solution. 
     
     
       18. A method as in  claim 17 , wherein blending the modified carbon nanofiller with a polyolefin further comprises mixing the modified carbon nanofiller with the polyolefin solution at a temperature of about 140° C. for a period of time of about 1 hour. 
     
     
       19. A polymer blend produced in accordance with the method of  claim 10 . 
     
     
       20. A fiber comprising the polymer blend produced in accordance with the method of  claim 10 . 
     
     
       21. A film comprising the polymer blend produced in accordance with the method of  claim 10 .